Clip construction



8, 1964 H. A. BALlNSKl 3,144,733

CLIP CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 26, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. lkm'yfl. Bali/ask 1.

Aug. 18, 1964 H. A. BALlNSKl 3,144,733

CLIP CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 26, 1961 5 Sheets-Shed 2 IN VEN TOR.

Aug. 18, 1964 H. A. BALINSKI 3,144,733

CLIP CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 26, 1961 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. lm y/ZBali/aid United States Patent 3,144,733 CLIP CONSTRUCTION Henry A.Balinski, Hoffman Estates, Ill., assignor to United States GypsumCompany, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Dec. 26, 1961,Ser. No. 161,963 15 Claims. (Cl. 50-481) This invention relates to abuilding construction and more particularly to a sheet metal type ofclip adapted for retaining edge portions of adjacent building panels ina predetermined relation. This invention is particularly suited to theformation of such a clip for resiliently mounting building panels.

Various clips of this generaly type have heretofore been proposed but,because of their design, are possessed of numerous shortcomings. Amongthese shortcomings, is a lack of rigidity to retain the adjacent panelsin the desired relation with respect to one another and with respect tothe support framing, or the related problem of the use of increasedgauge sheet metal to provide sufficient rigidity thereby resulting inincreased cost of fabrication. Also, many prior clips provided aplurality of sharp edged projections or fingers which oftentimes provedhazardous to the erector and which rendered the clips susceptible tobecoming entagled with one another thereby making the task of separatingthe individual clips from a group thereof a time-consuming andfrustrating operation. These shortcomings were largely overcome by aclip construction wherein secondary clip fingers or flanges were struckfrom within the area of primary flanges in a manner to provide clip legswhich each comprised generally parallel leg portions joined by a bar atthe distal ends of these leg portions. The advantages of such aconstruction are retained in clips according to this invention.

In instances where prior clips of the general type referred to abovehave been used as furring clips suitable for securing to a stud or basewall, such clips were costly to fabricate and normally required aseparate tongue, for engaging the supporting stud or wall, to be weldedor riveted to the remainder of the clip. Alternatively, a mountingtongue for such clips was formed as a separate projection extending fromthe body of the clip and formed from material external to and/orprojecting from those portions of the blank from which the variousportions of the clip body were formed. In addition to the complica tionsinherent in the fabrication of these latter clips, a

considerable amount of material was wasted.

The present invention provides an improved clip construction wherein astrong unitary double channel clip may be economically formed from asingle generally rectangular piece of sheet material and wherein a largearea portion of the clip is made available for striking out toconveniently and easily form a comparatively large, strong, effectiveresilient mounting member.

The strength and resilience of a mounting member for clips of the typeto which this invention pertains is of great importance in certain walland/or ceiling constructions for homes, commercial buildings, and otherstructures. One desirable building practice in forming walls having abase formed of preformed panels, such as gypsum board, is to provide aresilient support connection between the base panels and the supportingor framing members. This resilient connection reduces transmission offorces and relative motion from the support or framing members to thesupported wall, thereby providing protection against cracking orseparating of the material of the inner finished surface of the wall,such as plaster, and decreas ing the sound transmission characteristicsof the wall. Because of the loads and forces involved, and consideringthe requirements of forming various shapes of resilient 3,144,733Patented Aug. 18, 1964 mounting members to engage various types ofsupport or framing members, it is desirable to provide a long and largecross-sectional area support member on mounting clips for effectingdesirable support of such walls. However, it is also desirable for aclip having such a mounting member to meet other requirements such ascase of fabrication, economy and lack of projections and sharp edges asoutlined in the preceding paragraphs. Further, such a clip shouldminimize twisting and turning of the clips when installed, and guardagainst passage of plaster between the supported panels to a point whereit could key the otherwise resiliently supported panels to adjacentsupports.

Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved clipmeeting the criteria outlined above.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved clip whichis economical to produce, which is convenient and safe to use, and whichis adapted for the formation of a relatively large resilient mountingmemher.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved resilientclip which is convenient and economical to manufacture and whichprovides effective engagement with and firm resilient support foraccommodated panels.

It is another object of this invention to make efficient use of thematerial of a clip blank to form an improved clip with a long mountingmember of large effective cross section.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved method offorming a double channel resilient panel mounting clip.

Further and additional objects and advantages will appear to thoseskilled in this art from the description and accompanying drawings whichdescribe and illustrate certain embodiments of the invention, as well asfrom the appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention a clip is providedwhich is adapted for accommodating the edge portions of abutting panelsin a building construction and maintaining the panels in a predeterminedrelation. The clip includes a pair of angularly disposed, substantiallychannel-shaped pockets in which the edge portions of the panels arereceived. The pockets each include a base portion for contacting theedge of a panel and a pair of opposed elongated leg portions adapted toengage opposite planar surfaces of the accommodated panel. The clip isformed from a single generally rectangular sheetmetal blank. One legportion of one of the pockets is formed from one end portion of theblank and is continuous and unbroken except for the area of a resilientmounting member struck therefrom. The remaining leg portions are formedfrom internesting parts of the remainder of the blank, and together Withthe base portions form complementary parts of the remainder of theblank.

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should bemade to the illustrative forms of the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a building constructionpartially cut away to expose an improved clip embodying teachings ofthis invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation view of the construction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of another improved clip embodyingteachings of this invention;

FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the cli of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modification of the clip of FIG. 3,including one form of a resilient mounting member;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are perspective views of other modifications of theclip of FIG. 3, illustrating various other forms of mounting members forsecuring to different types of supports or framing members;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a clip similar to that shown in FIG. 6but as modified to accommodate rightangularly disposed panels, andincluding a ceiling spacer tab;

FIG. 10 is an end elevation view of the clip of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a sheet metal blank cut to form a clip as inany one of FIGS. 5l0; and

FIGS. 12-15 illustrate the steps of an improved method of forming a clipfrom the blank in FIG. 11.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, clip includes a pair of angularlydisposed pockets 21 and 22 for accommodating a pair of right-angularlyarranged panels as indicated. This clip includes a pair of channel-likepockets 21 and 22 defined by leg portions 23, 24 and 25, a base portion26, and a dual purpose base and leg portion 27. Primary flange or legportion 23 is continuous and unbroken except for such material as may beremoved therefrom for forming a mounting clip, for instance as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, and may be formed from one end portion of a rectangularblank. The remaining base and leg portions of clip 20 may be formed fromthe remaining portion of such a blank.

Base portion 26 extends normal to primary flange 23, and secondaryflange 25 extends from and is coplanar with base portion 26. Leg-baseportion 27 and primary flange 24 are positioned by bending portion 27 atright angles to base portion 26 and bending flange 24 at right angles toleg-base portion 27, parallel to secondary flange 25, as illustrated.Flange 25 is of generally truncated triangular shape with its baseoriented away from base portion 26, and is struck from and correspondsto the opening in leg-base portion 27 and leg portion 24. As flange 24is of generally rectangular outline, it includes a pair of tapering sideelements and a bridging element joining the outer ends of the sideelements (similar to flange 36 of clip described below).

Clip 20 includes a mounting element 28 struck from leg portion 23, baseportion 26, and leg portion 25. The base end of this mounting element isjoined to flange 25 and it is looped or bent into a U-shape asillustrated to provide resilient support and furring of the accommodatedpanels away from a support member such as a stud 29. The mountingelement 28 has the outer elongated edges thereof bent slightly in adirection toward the adjacent surface of the stud 29, so as to formstiffening flanges 28a which also grip the stud to prevent rotation ofthe clip about its point of securement to the support. An opening 28b isformed in the outer portion of the mounting element to facilitateanchoring of the element to the support by a nail or screw as indicated.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, improved clip 30 is a field clip of thetype designed for use in joining two adjacent panels without alsospecifically providing for securement of the clip to supportingstructures. This clip however is particularly designed to provide forthe formation of a resilient mounting member, as will be laterdescribed. Clip 30 includes a pair of angularly disposed pockets 31 and32 for receiving adjacent edge portions of a pair of generally coplanarpanels in a building construction. Each of the pockets 31 and 32 issubstantially channel-shaped in cross section, as best seen in FIG. 4,and includes a base portion for contacting the edge of the respectiveaccommodated panel and a pair of generally parallel elongated legportions projecting from the base for engaging opposite planar surfacesof the accommodated panels. In this modification common base portions 33and 34 serve as the base portions of both of channels 31 and 32. One legportion 35 of pocket 31 comprises a continuous unbroken generally planarprimary flange which may comprise one entire end portion of a blank fromwhich clip 30 is formed, as will be described more fully below regardingFIG. 11. Base portions 33 and 34 are joined to the lower edge of flange35 and are bent to a position generally normal to flange 35 asillustrated. Leg portions 36 and 37 are joined to the distal edge ofbase portions 33 and 34 and are bent in opposite directions generallynormal to the base portions as illustrated. Leg portion 36, baseportions 33 and 34, and leg portion 35 define pocket 21. A fourth legportion 38 is disposed in coplanar relation with leg 35 and extends fromthe edge of leg 35 corresponding to base portions 33 and 34. Legportions 38, base portions 33 and 34 and leg portion 37 define pocket32.

In the illustrated embodiment, leg 38 includes a neck portion 33 and anouter end portion 40 which is tapered outwardly to a distal edge 41 andis of the general form of a truncated triangle having its base orientedaway from base portions 43 and 44. Referring now also to FIG. 11 whichillustrates a generally rectangular blank B cut to form a clip as inFIGS. 3 and 4, but with a mounting member struck out as will be laterdescribed, neck 39 is formed from corresponding portion 39a of blank Bstruck from between portions 330 and 3411 which form base portions 33and 34. Leg portion 37 is formed from the part 37a of the blankimmediately surrounding and internesting with portion 46a which formsdistal end 40 of leg portion 38. correspondingly, leg portion 36 isformed from the part 3611 of blank B immediately surrounding andinternesting with part 37a. Leg portion 35 is formed by the remainingend portion indicated at 35a, but without striking out strip 51.

Leg portion 37 includes a pair of spaced generally coplanar elongatedside elements 42 and 43 joined at their inner ends to base portions 33and 34 and joined at their distal ends by a bridging element 44. As endportion 40 is struck from within the limits of the part 37a whichincludes portions 42a, 43a and 44a corresponding to elements 42, 43 and44, and which forms leg 37, side elements 42 and 43 and bridging element44 delimit a truncated triangular opening of the same shape and size asend portion 40. The outer edges of side elements 42 and 43 extend fromthe base portions 33 and 34 in outwardly diverging relation whereby theouter edges of leg 37 also define a truncated triangular shape with itsbase oriented away from base portions 33 and 34. However, the outeredges of side elements 42 and 43 define a greater acute angle with thebase portions 33 and 34 than do the inner edges of these elementswhereby the side elements taper to progressively narrower widths towardtheir distal ends.

Leg portion 36 includes a pair of side elements 45 and 46 extendingoutward from base portions 33 and 34 and joined at their distal ends bya bridging element 47 in the same general manner as the aforedescribedparts of leg portion 37. As leg portion 36 is formed from portion 36a,including corresponding portions 45a, 46a and 47a, and portion 37a isstruck therefrom, side elements 45 and 46 and bridging element 47delimit an opening corresponding to the external outline of leg portion37. Side elements 450! and 46a are defined between the rectangular outerlimits of blank B and the diverging edges of portions 42a and 43a,whereby side elements 45 and 46 are of greatest width at their point ofsecurement to base portions 33 and 34 and taper to progressivelynarrower widths towards their distal ends.

It will thus be observed that the three leg portions 36, 37 and 38 areformed from similar internesting segments of one portion of blank Bwhereby at least the outer ends of these leg portions may be termed tobe of similar internesting shapes. Further, the base portions 33 and 34and the three leg portions 36, 37 and 38 are all formed from one portionof blank B, namely that portion below the upper limit of base formingportions 33a and 34a as seen in FIG. 11, and comprise complementaryportions of this part of the blank.

The outwardly tapering or truncated triangular configuration of thevarious inner and outer edges of the leg portions, and the relatedtapered form of the side elements accomplishes two significant purposes.First, an extensive area of juncture is obtained between each legportion and the remaining parts of the clip to effectively resistbending of these leg portions from their clip-forming position, while,secondly, providing distal panel abutting edges of maximum length. Itwill be noted that the various side elements are very narrow at theirdistal ends, as compared to the width of the clip, and that the distaledge of each of the leg portions extends substantially the full width ofthe clip to provide an extensive bearing surface.

The various leg portions of the resulting clip 30 may be characterizedin another manner as follows: Legs 35 and 36 both are of an externalconfiguration corresponding to the respective outer limits of the blankfrom which the clip is formed and may be termed primary flanges. Legportions 37 and 38 are both struck from the internal area of anotherflange and may appropriately be termed secondary flanges, or a secondaryand a tertiary flange, respectively. Three of the four legs of thedouble-channel clip, and the base portions, are thus formed from oneportion of blank B leaving the remaining portion for use solely informing a primary clip and a struck-out resilient mounting member.

Due to the mode of formation and the resultant shape of the variousflanges, it will be appreciated that portions 36a and 37a and 38a are ofprogressively less length as measured from a common base line, such aseither of the bend lines delimiting base portions 33a and 34a. To makethe clip as nearly symmetrical as possible, with pockets ofsubstantially equal depth, and to place the distal edges of the variousflanges in generally opposed relation, primary flange 36 is placed inopposition to primary flange 35 to form pocket 31 while secondaryflanges 37 and 38 are utilized to form pocket 32. This arrangement alsois advantageous in that neck portion 39a, taken from the base or bightportion, is included in flange 38 to effectively lengthen what wouldotherwise be the shortest of the internesting flanges, thereby providingpockets of adequate depth from a relatively small blank. Maximum pocketdepth is often important as the channels usually receive abutting paneledges which may be slightly irregular, or which may have been broken andcrushed at the edges or corners. Long and deep channels of the typeprovided by this construction insure that sound portions of the panelswill be engaged despite such edge deformities. As these clips arenormally applied with legs as and 37 exposed, another advantage offorming leg 38 in part from the bight portion is that this betterexposes the abutting portions of accommodated boards to facilitatekeying of latter applied plaster coats.

As a specific illustration of one clip structure in accordance with thisinvention, a 3" wide strip of electro galvanized 23 gauge steel US.Standard (Revised) (.031), of Rockwell hardness 65 to 80 B scale, wassubjected to a multiple die operation wherein it was cut, punched andformed into clips according to this invention. The resultant clip wasabout 3" wide and was of a height of about 2" overall. A web width ofabout .385" was provided for a standard size plaster base panel of aboutin thickness. In this regard, one leg portion or flange of each channelwas inclined slightly inward toward the opposite flange whereby aclearance of about .320" was provided between the distal ends of theflanges of each channel. This convergence of the leg portions of eachchannel insures snug engagement and gripping of accommodated panels. Tofacilitate entry of the panels into these pockets, as well as tostrengthen the distal ends of the leg portions, particularly thebridging elements, the distal edges of the flanges were bent or flaredoutwardly as shown. The base dimension of each of side portions 42, 43,45 and 46 was and the mini mum lateral dimension of each of theseelements was about Each of the bridging elements was about 7 wide. Theresulting distal edge portions of legs 36, 37 and 38 were approximately3", 2 /2" and 2 long, respectively, depending of course upon the radiusof curvature utilized for forming the extreme edge corners of 6 theselegs. The overall depth of each of the flanges 35, 36, 37 and 38 wasabout 4;" A" and respectively.

FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 illustrate various modifications 38a, 39b, 38c and30d, respectively, of the clip of FIG. 3 for use as resilient mountingclips in building constructions. Each of these clips includes the basicstructure illustrated and described with regard to FIGS. 3 and 4, butalso includes a mounting member (51a, 51b, 51c and 51d, respectively)struck from the central area of the otherwise continuous unbroken areaof a primary flange 35b coresponding to flange 35 of clip 3% The areaavailable for forming such mounting members, and the manner of formingthem from a primary flange 35b, is indicated by the mounting elementstrip 51 outlined in FIG. 11. The size of strip 51 is limited only bythe requisites of adequate strength of the remaining portions of leg35b, which may be of dimensions corresponding to parts 45, 46, 47 offlange 36, and the requirement of a base edge strip portion 52 of awidth W. Portion 52 provides resilient support for flange 38 and, inaddition, together with neck portion 39a, prevents later applied plasterfrom seeping through the board joint and the clip and keying the clip tothe adjacent support structure.

In one model of a clip otherwise of the dimensions set forth in theprevious specific example, the width W of portion 52 was about 7 andstrip 51 was about 2%" x /3.

Mounting strip 51 may include a hole or perforation therethrough similarto that described above regarding mounting member 28 for passage of ascrew, nail or other securing device.

Strip 51 may be formed into mounting members of various configurationsas illustrated in FIGS. 5-8. Referring first to FIG. 5, one suchmounting member 51a, particularly suitable for securing to the sideportions of adjacent studs, joists or other similar support members,includes a generally U-shaped base portion 53 joined to primary flange35b, and a distal end portion 54 extending generally transversely awayfrom flange 35b. The reverse bend of the U-shaped portion providesresilient mounting and furnishes a gauging element for spacing the clipand hence the accommodated panels away from the adjacent surface of asupport member to which this clip may be secured. The base end of themounting member extends outward from flange 35b at 55 to space theentire mounting member from an engaged board and thus permits relativemovement of both portions of the U-shaped portion.

FIG. 6 illustrates another form of mounting element wherein strip 51 istwisted and formed into an L-shaped resilient mounting member 51b spacedfrom primary flange 35b. The distal end portion 56 is spaced from thebase portion 57 and extends generally longitudinally of the clip asillustrated. This mounting element is well adapted for engagement with amasonry wall, such as concrete block, gypsum block, or other likeconstructions, and includes outwardly bent edge portions 56a similar toedge portions 28a of the mounting element illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates another resilient mounting element 51c. This mountingmember is also spaced from the primary flange 3512 but extendstransversely away there from and includes a reverse bent end portion 58particularly adapted for engaging a metal furring channel 59 of a typeoften used in ceiling constructions. Element 510 may include a tab 60extending inwardly of reversed bent portion 58 to engage one flange ofchannel 59.

FIGS. 8 and 15 illustrate another improved clip 30d provided with amounting element 51d particularly adapted for engaging an open trussdesign metal stud such as is illustrated at 61 in FIG. 8. Element 51aincludes a reversed bent end section 62 which extends away from the baseportions at an angle to the longitudinal and transverse axis of the clipand which is spaced from primary flange 35b by a transversely extendingbase portion 63. The relative angular positioning of end sec tion 62 maybe obtained by forming a gusset-like portion 64. The resulting offset ofthe bight portion of this element is an important feature of thisparticular clip as it permits varying the point of engagement of themounting member with the adjacent truss stud, by reversing the clip,thereby permitting avoidance of transverse members 65 of the truss. Inan illustrative structure found satisfactory in use, the mounting tabwas formed at an angle of about 20 to the plane of the base portions 33and 34. With a dimension W of about and a 1 /8" length of element 51dbetween base portion 63 and the bight, the lower edge of the bight wasoffset about /2 from the plane of the base portions. A small protrusion66 and the resilient end 67 of element 51d cooperate to providesnap-action engagement of the truss.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a clip 70 formed from a blank B as illustratedin FIG. 11 and adapted to accommodate a pair of right-angularly disposedpanels in somewhat the same manner as the clip illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2. Clip 70 however includes two base portions and four separate legportions or flanges. One of the channel-like pockets 78 of this clip isformed from a first primary flange 71, a second primary flange 72 andbase portions 73 and 74, corresponding to primary flanges 35b and 36 andbase portion 33 and 34 of the clips of FIGS. -8. Secondary flanges 75and 76 are struck from and comprise internesting portions of flange 72in the same general manner as the secondary flanges of clip 30 exceptthat flanges 75 and 76 are positioned somewhat differently to form thesecond channel-like pocket 79. Flange 75 extends generally normal toflange 72, coplanar with base portions 73 and 74, and flange 76 isformed with the neck portion 76a coplanar with primary flange 71 andwith the end portion 76b extending at right angles to the neck portion76a generally parallel to flange 75. Flanges 75 and 76, together withbase portions 73 and 74, which may here be deemed a part of flange 75,thus define the pocket 79, with neck portion 76:: as the base. Onecorner of end portion 7611 may be bent upwardly as indicated at 77 toprovide a gauging member for spacing the clip and hence the panelaccommodated in pocket 79 from the adjacent support structure. Spacer 77provides the same spacing of the accommodated panel edge from theadjacent support structure as the mounting elements of other clips, suchas illustrated in FIGS. 5-8. A mounting element 51b has been illustratedon clip 70, though other forms may be utilized as required.

The line of juncture between the mounting members and flanges 35b may bedisposed at an angle as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7 to provide astronger joint and to direct the load toward the center of clip and thusto the point of greatest strength and resistance to stress. Also, themounting strip available in these clips is of suflicient length and isso formed that the point of at-. tachment to the support structure isdisposed approximately along the vertical centerline of the clip therebyenhancing symmetrical application of the load and minimizing torsionalor twisting forces on the clip mounting.

FIGS. 11-15 illustrate one series of steps which may be employed tofabricate the clip shown in FIGS. 8 and 15. First a unitary planar blankof sheet material is perforated, punched and sheared to forminternesting leg portions and base portions out of one end part of theblank and to form an elongated mounting strip 51 from the central areaof the other end part as aforedescribed and as illustrated by blank B inFIG. 11. Next, the various portions of the blank are formed and bent toshape the mounting strip 51 into a resilient mounting member protrudingto one side of the blank and to provide the bent reinforcing edges atthe distal edges of the various leg portions as illustrated in FIGS. 12and 13. The two leg portions 36a and 37a and the base portions 33a and34a are then bent downwardly, away from the side on which the mountingmember protrudes, to a position generally perpendicular to the plane offlange 35a. as shown in FIG. 14. Portion 38a is maintained generallycoplanar with portion 35a. Subsequent- 1y portions 36a and 37a are bentin opposite directions into channel-forming positions generally parallelto portions 35a and 38a, respectively, to complete a clip as illustratedat 30d in FIG. 15.

It is thus apparent that formation of the basic double channel clip isquite simple and convenient when following the teachings of thisinvention. In addition, providing a structure and method whereby threeleg portions are formed from one end part of the blank, by bending themonly in directions toward and parallel to the side of the blank oppositethe side of extension of the mounting member, permits formation of aresilient mounting member while the remainder of the blank is flat. Thisinsures convenient access to strip 51 with suitable forming equipmentfor shaping the mounting member. The remaining three flanges and thebase portions may subsequently be conveniently and easily bent intotheir respective channel positions without interference by the mountingmember.

It will be appreciated that the steps for shaping the mounting memberper se, may be appropriately selected for the type of member to beshaped. The steps in forming the clip may be further separated, as byforming each cut, each crease or bend and each perforation inindependent steps or in various combinations as may prove convenient forthe instrumentalities utilized in the forming operation. The forming maybe carried out with various available forming and stamping machines orby hand. A series of blanks may be connected in strip form, as for somemulti-operation machines, or separate individual blanks of appropriatesize may be utilized.

It will thus be seen that an improved clip has been disclosed which canbe expeditiously, conveniently, and economically formed from acomparatively small inexpensive blank piece of relatively thin gaugesheet material. By making functional use of the entire area of theblank, the resultant structure is strong, safe and convenient to use,economical to produce, and provides for the formation of a long,effective, relatively large cross-sectional area mounting member. Clipsaccording to this invention also have wide deep channels with extensivebearing areas to effectively engage accommodated panels while providingfirm resilient support for the panels. Further an improved method offorming such clips is provided which is simple and economical.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown, it willbe understood of course that the invention is not to be limited theretosince many modifications may be made by those skilled in the art inlight of the disclosure and teachings herein. It is contemplatedtherefore by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A clip formed from a blank of sheet metal includtwo portions andadapted for accommodating adjacent panels, said clip comprising a pairof angularly disposed pockets for receiving adjacent edge portions ofsuch panels; each pocket being substantially channel-shaped in crosssection and including a base portion for contacting the edge surface ofan accommodated panel, and a pair of substantially parallel elongatedleg portions projecting from said base portion for engaging oppositeplanar surfaces of such panels; a first leg portion of one pocket beingformed from one portion of said blank and being generally coplanar withone portion of the other pocket; the remaining leg portions and the baseportions of said pair of pockets being struck from the other portion ofsaid blank; said remaining leg portions including second, third andfourth leg portions; said second and third leg portions each including apair of spaced generally coplanar elongated side elements joined to saidbase portions, and a bridging element joining the distal of said sideelements; said fourth leg portion being struck at least in part from theopening delimited by said side elements and bridging element of saidthird leg portion; said third leg portion being struck at least in partfrom the opening delimited by said side elements and bridging element ofsaid sec ond leg portion; and each leg portion including a distal edgeextending at least a major portion of the width of said clip.

2. A clip as in claim 1 and wherein said second leg portion constitutesthe second leg portion of said one pocket and said third and fourth legportions constitute the leg portions of the other pocket.

3. A clip as in claim 1 and including a mounting member struck from anextending outward from said first leg portion of said one pocket,wherein said mounting member includes a base portion extending generallyparallel to and spaced from said one leg portion, and an attachmentportion extending outwardly from said base portion of said mountingmember.

4. A clip as in claim 1 and including a mounting member struck from andextending outward from said first leg portion of said one pocket,wherein said mounting member includes a U-shaped portion adjacent saidone leg portion and a distal end portion extending transversely awayfrom said one leg portion.

5. A clip as in claim 1 and including a mounting member struck from andextending outward from said first leg portion of said one pocket,wherein said mounting member includes a first portion extendingtransversely away from said one leg portion and a reversely bent endportion including a distal end extending toward said one leg portion.

6. A clip as in claim 1 and including a mounting member struck from andextending outward from said first leg portion of said one pocket,wherein said mounting member is generally L-shaped and includes a firstportion spaced from and generally parallel to the plane of said one legportion, and a second portion spaced from and generally parallel to theplane of said first portion thereof and extending generally parallel tothe longitudinal axis of said clip, said second portion including narrowoutwardly bent longitudinal side edges.

7. A clip as in claim 1 and including a mounting member struck from andextending outward from said first leg portion of said one pocket,wherein said mounting member extends angularly away from the baseportion of said one pocket and includes a reverse-bent portion offsetlongitudinally of the clip from the plane of said base portion.

8. A clip as in claim 1 and including a mounting member struck from andextending outward from said first leg portion of said one pocket,wherein said mounting member includes a first segment extendingoutwardly from said one leg portion, a second segment integral with saidfirst segment at its outward end and extending generally parallel to theplane of said one leg portion and away from the base portion of said onepocket at an angle to the longitudinal and transverse axes of said clip,and a reverse bent portion of the distal end of said second segment.

9. A clip as in claim 1 and wherein a mounting member is struck out atleast in major part from said first leg portion, said mounting memberextending outwardly from said first leg portion and adapted to engage asupport for resiliently mounting said clip.

10. A clip as in claim 1 and wherein a resilient mounting member isstruck from and extends outwardly from said first leg portion of saidone pocket.

11. A clip as in claim 1 and including one base portion comprising apair of spaced segments joined to said first leg portion, said oneportion of said other pocket being struck from the opening delimited bysaid segments and comprising the base portion of said other pocket.

12. A clip as in claim 1 and including one pair of spaced segmentscomprising said base portion of each of said pockets, a part of saidfourth leg portion corresponding to and being struck from the openingdelimited by said segments.

13. A clip formed from a blank of sheet metal including two portions andadapted for accommodating adjacent panels, said clip comprising a pairof angularly disposed pockets for receiving adjacent edge portions ofsuch panels; each pocket being substantially channelshaped in crosssection and including a base portion for contacting the edge surface ofan accommodated panel, and a pair of substantially parallel elongatedleg portions projecting from said base portion for engaging oppositeplanar surfaces of such panels; a first leg portion of one pocket beingformed from one portion of said blank and being generally coplanar withone portion of the other pocket; the remaining leg portions and the baseportions of said pair of pockets being struck from the other portion ofsaid blank and including a first base portion joined to said first legportion and extending geenrally normal thereto; said remaining legportions including second, third and fourth leg portions; said secondand third leg portions each including a pair of spaced generallycoplanar elongated side elements integral with said first base portion,and a bridging element joining the distal ends of said side elements;said fourth leg portion being struck at least in part from the openingdelimited by said side elements and bridging element of said third legportion; said third leg portion being struck from the opening delimitedby said side elements and bridging element of said second leg portion;and each leg portion including a distal edge extending at least a majorportion of the width of said clip.

14. A clip formed from a blank of sheet metal includ ing two portionsand adapted for accommodating adjacent generally coplanar panels, saidclip comprising a pair of angularly disposed pockets for receivingadjacent edge portions of such panels; each pocket being substantiallychannel-shaped in cross section, said pockets being disposed in back toback relation and including a common base portion for contacting edgesurfaces of accommodated panels, each pocket including a pair ofsubstantially parallel elongated leg portions projecting from said saidbase portion in a direction generally opposite to said leg portions ofthe other pocket for engaging opposite planar surfaces of such panels; afirst leg portion of one pocket being formed from one portion of saidblank, the remaining leg portions of said pair of pockets and said baseportion being struck from the other portion of said blank; said baseportion comprising spaced segments joined along one edge to said firstleg portion and extending generally normal thereto; said remaining legportions including second, third and fourth leg portions; said secondand third leg portions each including a pair of spaced generallycoplanar elongated side elements integral With the distal edge of saidbase portion, and a bridging element joining the distal ends of saidside elements; a fourth leg portion corresponding to and being struckfrom the opening delimited by said segments and said side and bridgingelements of said third leg portion; said third leg portion correspondingto and being struck from the opening delimited by said side elements andbridging element of said second leg portion; said fourth leg portionextending generally coplanar with said first leg portion; said secondleg portion extending generally parallel to said first leg portion andcomprising the other leg portion of said one pocket; said third legportion extending generally parallel to said fourth leg portion andcomprising therewith said leg portions of said other of said pockets;and each leg portion including a distal edge extending at least a majorportion of the width of said clip.

15. A clip formed from a blank of sheet metal including two portions andadapted for accommodating adjacent panels, said clip comprising a pairof right-angu- 1 1 larly disposed pockets for receiving adjacent edgeportions of such panels; each pocket being substantially channel-shapedin cross section and including a base portion for contacting the edgesurface of an accommodated panel, and a pair of substantially parallelelongated leg portions projecting from said base portion for engagingopposite planar surfaces of such panels; a first leg portion of onepocket being formed from one portion of said blank and being generallycoplanar and integral with the base portion of the other pocket; theremaining leg portions and the base portions of said pair of pocketsbeing struck from the other portion of said blank and including a baseportion of said one pocket comprising spaced segments joined along oneedge to said first leg portion and extending generally normal thereto;said remaining leg portions including second, third and fourth legportions; said second and third leg portions each including a pair ofspaced generally coplanar elongated side elements integral with thedistal edge of said base portion of said one pocket, and a bridgingelement joining the distal ends of said side elements; said base portionof said other pocket corresponding to and being struck from the openingbetween said segments; said fourth leg portion corresponding to andbeing struck from the opening delimited by said side elements andbridging element of said third leg portion and being integral with saidbase portion of said other pocket; said third leg portion correspondingto and being struck from the opening delimited by said side elements andbridging element of said second leg portion; said second leg portionextending generally parallel to said first leg portion and comprisingthe other leg portion of said one pocket; said third and fourth legportions being generally parallel to one another and extending generallynormal to said first leg portion to comprise said leg portions of saidother of said pockets; and each leg portion including a distal edgeextending at least a major portion of the Width of said clip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS904,856 Escher Nov. 24, 1908 1,066,389 Duffy July 1, 1913 1,254,469Burke Jan. 22, 1918 1,257,276 Wiswell Feb. 19, 1918 1,296,337 SullivanMar. 4, 1919 1,831,162 Crowell Nov. 10, 1931 1,836,829 Venzie Dec. 15,1931 1,913,527 Venzie June 13, 1933 1,935,536 Balduf Nov. 14, 19331,998,688 Robinson et a1. Apr. 23, 1935 2,116,147 Haessler May 3, 19382,226,368 Burson Dec. 24, 1940 2,258,574 Leary Oct. 7, 1941 2,263,795Balduf Nov. 25, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0FCORRECTION Patent No. 3, 144,733 August 18, 196

Henry A Balinski I I It is hereby'certified that error appears in theabove numbered pate ent requiring correction and that the said LettersPatent should read as v correeted below.

Column 1 line 15, for "generaly" need general line 26 for "'entagl'e'd"read entangled column 9 line 60 for "of, first occurrence,- read atcolumn 10, line 21"" for "gee nrally" read generally line 44 strike out"said'?a Signed and; sealed this 1st day of December 1964.

(SEAL) Attest'z' EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents ERNEST w.SWIDER Attesting Officer I

1. A CLIP FORMED FROM A BLANK OF SHEET METAL INCLUDTWO PORTIONS AND ADAPTED FOR ACCOMMODATING ADJACENT PANELS, SAID CLIP COMPRISING A PAIR OF ANGULARLY DISPOSED POCKETS FOR RECEIVING ADJACENT EDGE PORTIONS OF SUCH PANELS; EACH POCKET BEING SUBSTANTIALLY CHANNEL-SHAPED IN CROSS SECTION AND INCLUDING A BASE PORTION FOR CONTACTING THE EDGE SURFACE OF AN ACCOMMODATED PANEL, AND A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL ELONGATED LEG PORTIONS PROJECTING FROM SAID BASE PORTION FOR ENGAGING OPPOSITE PLANAR SURFACES OF SUCH PANELS; A FIRST LEG PORTION OF ONE POCKET BEING FORMED FROM ONE PORTION OF SAID BLANK AND BEING GENERALLY COPLANAR WITH ONE PORTION OF THE OTHER POCKET; THE REMAINING LEG PORTIONS AND THE BASE PORTIONS OF SAID PAIR OF POCKETS BEING STRUCK FROM THE OTHER PORTION OF SAID BLANK; SAID REMAINING LEG PORTIONS INCLUDING SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH LEG PORTIONS; SAID SECOND AND THIRD LEG PORTIONS EACH INCLUDING A PAIR OF SPACED GENERALLY COPLANAR ELONGATED SIDE ELEMENTS JOINED TO SAID BASE PORTIONS, AND A BRIDGING ELEMENT JOINING THE DISTAL OF SAID SIDE ELEMENTS; SAID FOURTH LEG PORTION BEING STRUCK AT LEAST IN PART FROM THE OPENING DELIMITED BY SAID SIDE ELEMENTS AND BRIDGING ELEMENT OF SAID THIRD LEG PORTION; SAID THIRD LEG PORTION BEING STRUCK AT LEAST IN PART FROM THE OPENING DELIMITED BY SAID SIDE ELEMENTS AND BRIDGING ELEMENT OF SAID SECOND LEG PORTION; AND EACH LEG PORTION INCLUDING A DISTAL EDGE EXTENDING AT LEAST A MAJOR PORTION OF THE WIDTH OF SAID CLIP. 